ALPHA PARTHE.The silence stretched for so long. I stared at their faces. They were all curious and nervous as they waited for me to speak.I hated being summoned. I detested it. But when it had to do with the council, I didn't have much of a choice."I haven't made a decision yet," I spoke, hoping the meeting ends soon. They were prying into my personal life, and I didn't like it."You don't have much of a choice here, Parthe," A voice sounded, and I turned to see who it was.Only one person had the right to speak to me in that manner. Elder Geth. My late mother's father… My grandfather.Funny how people might think we'd be so close since he was my grandfather, but no. We had our grievances against each other. Some hatchets just can't be buried easily. Especially not when those hatchets had a lot to do with his son, Rorden."Why would you say that, Elder Geth?" I asked with every ounce of respect I could muster."You have found your fated mate. What else do you want? You haven't reje
LUXURIA.I halted when the strange man spoke to me. I had never seen him in the pack before, and I knew I had to be careful.He was young, probably in his late twenties.I should have kept walking, but his striking resemblance to Alpha Parthe stopped me in my tracks. There was something almost familiar about him—something I couldn't quite place. His sharp jawline, the intensity in his eyes. But the resemblance only went so far. His energy was different.He was gorgeous, I must say. But that shouldn't concern me. All that was important to me was getting to the garden and getting the new recipe I just came across from my research."How are you doing, beautiful?" he asked, adjusting his short brown locks that fell loosely around his eyes. I couldn't help but smile, though something about the way he spoke set me on edge.I felt the warmth of his compliment, though I wasn't used to being approached so boldly. There was something about him that drew me in—his confidence, the easy way he spo
LUXURIA.Rorden's gaze flickered past me, and I watched as his posture shifted—straightening, shoulders squaring, his easy demeanor sharpening in an instant. I slowly turned, my heart hammering in my chest as I came face-to-face with the storm that was Alpha Parthe.His dark eyes burned with an intensity I hadn't seen before. His lips were pressed into a tight line, his entire frame rigid with barely contained fury."Alpha," I breathed, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel the crackling anger radiating off him like wildfire.He said nothing at first, his gaze flicking from me to Rorden, who still stood a few paces behind.I sensed an underlying war raging between both of them. It seemed they knew each other so well... This was beyond just an Alpha and a prodigal pack member."Parthe..." Rorden called so casually that I feared for him. "It's been a long time, brother." He said, the playfulness in his tone was gone.Brother?Was this Alpha Parthe's brother? Oh, Goddess...
ALPHA PARTHE.Fuck.Did she just say those words to me? She was surely playing with flames. And it would burn her whole.I looked down at her plump lips, which were slightly parted, and, gods, the temptation was killing."Luxuria..." I whispered into her ear, "Don't mistake this for love. It's only an obsession, a hunger, a need to consume you whole. Don't be deceived." I said, trying all I could to hide how I truly felt."Please... Alpha. Touch me." She said to me. I gazed into her pleading eyes, and my cock twitched painfully."Your innocence is fragile, and I will shatter it with every breath you take near me. That's not what I want for you right now." I said, letting go of her and walking toward the open window.I hoped the air would calm my burning nerves."You've already taken my innocence... On the first night we met. I am your mate, Alpha. You've only teased me since you brought me here. Why do that if you do not have plans of touching me?"I could sense a little bit of anger
ALPHA PARTHE.My mind had been consumed by Luxuria all day. The feel of her, the way her presence stirred something inside me—a darkness that I didn't recognize. It unsettled me more than I cared to admit.This strange darkness I felt seemed to come alive whenever I was around her. It felt ancient and powerful.Luxuria is not a witch. I know that. Otherwise, I would have felt it already.I am an AshBlood witch, even though I have decided only to use my powers when necessary.I am a rare kind of a dark witch. A kind most parts of our realm considered evil and dangerous - one of the things that made me feared and respected.Of all levels of dark witches - Cthonic Witches, Blood Witches, and Verdigris witches - the AshBlood witches are the most dreaded.Cthonic Witches draw their power from the darkest depths of the earth, commanding the power of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the restless spirits trapped beneath the surface.Blood Witches manipulate blood and the very essence of l
LUXURIA.I decided to get myself busy with chores in order not to lose my sanity. The events in my life have been overwhelming and confusing.I was beginning to think of stupid possibilities - what if I am also becoming like the Alpha? Was his curse rubbing off on me? What if I was truly cursed like everyone in my pack thought?I had to clear my head before I made drastic decisions that I might regret.I tried to confide in Dashi, but it didn't feel right. She was a member of this pack and was obligated to report anything or anyone that seemed like a threat to the Alpha.Since I hadn't fully understood what I was going through, it was best to keep it to myself while doing more research.The weakness I felt was becoming a concern to me. Every day, it seemed my condition worsened, and sometimes I feared for my life. My body ached more than usual today. It was as if every ounce of strength was slowly draining out of me. It's almost as if whatever this was, it was trying to take my life,
LUXURIA.There was silence. My heart pounded so loudly that I wondered if Rorden could hear it. His hazel eyes were piercing, studying me so intensely that it made my skin prickle with unease.We had come into my chamber, and I wondered what he had in mind. He wasn't saying anything."Rorden..." My voice came out in a shaky whisper, barely able to form his name. But he didn't respond. He just kept staring, those sharp eyes of his raking over me like he was trying to decipher some unsolvable puzzle."When did you notice this?" He finally spoke, and I was thankful he did.I swallowed hard, hesitating. How could I even begin to explain this to him? I didn't fully understand it myself. But I had to open up to him because he already knew my secret either way. There was no need to hide it any further.I only prayed the Alpha would believe me when I told him I had considered telling him before I bumped into Rorden."A few weeks ago..." I replied.He didn't move. His gaze didn't soften. Inste
ALPHA PARTHE.I just rounded up a hectic day, and all I desired was a hot bath and some sleep. The Harlem brothers almost made me lose control over their dispute.Sometimes, I wonder why I still let them stay in my pack. They always brought more trouble than peace to those around them.Thankfully, I was able to settle the dispute without having to rip their heads off.A knock sounded on my door, and I grunted before answering it."Shikta," I called when she walked into my chamber, "what do you want?" I asked in displeasure. I was too exhausted to entertain anyone right now."Alpha. Sorry to barge into you at this time. I know you must be very exhausted," She said, hurrying over to where I stood as she helped me undress.She always knew what to do at every point. One of the reasons I liked her alot."Yes. And I want to have some rest," I replied tiredly."Of course. How about a massage to help you rest better?" She asked, pulling me into the bathroom.Knowing that she intended to help
ALPHA PARTHE.Nothing ever prepared me for the surprise that awaited me. I didn't know what came over her but I was thankful it did.She seemed different.She teased me in ways my body couldn't bear. It took all the self-control in me not to snap that flimsy silk off my wrists, pin her to the bed and fuck her until she could no longer breathe."I am ready to love you, Parthe."Those words were all it took to snap the tiny thread holding my restraints. I'd waited so long to hear her say those words. I thought she'd never say them. I thought she'd never be able to love me ever again.But I was wrong."Unbind me, Luxuria!" I said, baring my teeth. I wanted to show her exactly what those words meant to me."Parthe..." She called nervously at my command and for a moment, the bravery she had put up slowly faded away."Scared?" I asked, arching a brow, "would you rather I break free myself?" Even I couldn't recognize my voice. Fuck, I was lost in her spell.I felt the nervous thrill that ran
LUXURIA.I waited nervously for his return. My heart drummed in my chest but I occasionally took in deep breaths to calm it down.I wanted to thank him for saving my life. I just didn't know how.The door finally swung open and he walked in, tired and sweaty."Luxuria?" He called when he saw me still awake, "Why are you still up?"I ignored his question, rising to meet him, "Welcome back. How was the meeting?" I asked, helping him undress.I had already prepared a very hot bath for him. As if I knew he'd return stressed, I had added some relaxing herbs and oils into the hot water."It went well. You still haven't..." He was about saying when I interrupted him."I prepared a hot bath for you. Come here," I said, pulling him into the bathroom.I didn't miss the surprise in his eyes. He looked at me as if I had been possessed by someone else.I guided him into the bath tub filled with hot water.He sat, letting out a long, relieving breath."Relieving, right?" I asked, managing a smile.
LUXURIA.It was hard to believe that Zendaya was the one who almost had me killed. She was the first friend I made when I arrived here. And despite everything, I wouldn't deny the fact that her death touched me.I wonder how her mother would feel. Nevada loved her so much.As the days passed, I felt stronger. The effect of the trauma I was exposed to in my unconscious state was beginning to wear off.It had been three days since I woke up, and Alpha Parthe had hardly left my side since. I wouldn’t deny the warmth his presence brought, though I didn’t fully understand why it comforted me so much. Perhaps I was beginning to get used to being around him."I can't believe you are back to us, Luxuria," Dashi said for the hundredth time in three days. She has been so overwhelmed with joy.“How many times do I have to hear that?” I teased, rolling my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips.“Until the day after forever!” She sat beside me, her laughter filling the room. Then her express
LUXURIA.It was all too sudden. I fell hard, right back into the darkness I was afraid of. It felt like a force had ripped me off the light and pushed me back into the darkness.I was terrified. My eyes were slowly shutting, tempting me to give in to the sweet sleep that threatened to claim me. I'd never felt so sleepy all my life, and this time, it was too difficult to resist. I was so tired. So unbearably tired. Maybe this was it—maybe surrendering to the darkness would be my salvation. What was the point in fighting it any longer?I allowed my heavy eyes to succumb to the pull, but suddenly, I heard it again.His voice."Luxuria..."My eyes slowly open. And this time, his voice held more power and desperation than the first time."Find me," his voice urged, "Come back to me, Luxuria. I know I don't deserve you. I've pushed you away… I've hurt you. But I need you to listen now. You're stronger than this darkness. Stronger than anything that's tried to take you from me."I wanted to
ALPHA PARTHE."Fuck! Lorita! What's happening?" My voice trembled. Sweat covered my bare body. I was wearing nothing but a doublet as I held onto Luxuria's almost iced-cold hands.I had her. I felt her. Although from a distance but at least she was there.She was scared. I felt her fear so much that I felt desperate and helpless at the same time. I was consumed by the need to pull her out of that maze at once.But what's happening? Why am I loosing her?"You need to stay calm and focus, Alpha. You are too desperate and it's ruining everything," I heard Lorita's voice from a distance in the background. My eyes were tightly shut as I was standing at the very edge of whatever world Luxuria was trapped in. That was the farthest I could go.I took in deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't let my desperation ruin this.“Luxuria…” I called out again, forcing my voice to steady, but the tremble was still there. I couldn’t help it. Fuck, I couldn’t lose her.I heard her shaky voi
ALPHA PARTHE.I looked down at the blood splattered across the floor. My blood. Its dark red pools glistened in the dim candlelight, snaking along the intricate lines of the symbols etched into the stone beneath my feet.The ritual was at its final stage, and there was no turning back. Not that I'd want to turn back at any point. If this was what it would take to save her, then I was willing to do it without a second thought.The ancient words rolled off my tongue, as I could feel my powers which have been dormant for years stirring beneath the surface.I had almost forgotten what this felt like—this raw, untamed energy. It coiled through my veins like molten iron, heating every fiber of my being.“Are you ready?” Lorita asked but I didn't answer. The look in my eyes said it all.I dipped my fingers into the pool of blood before me, set for the final step of the ritual.With a deep breath, I smeared the blood over the jagged scar across my chest. The scar from the day I had locked my
TERVAN'S POV."Fuck it, Shikta! What happened? This wasn't meant to happen! How is she not dead?" I asked, pacing the dark, quiet woods."I don't know, Tervan! How am I supposed to know?" She replied, worry also lacing her tone."You're asking how you were supposed to know? You made the damn poison, remember? You said it was potent! You said..." I was still speaking when she rudely interrupted me."I know I did!" She half-yelled. I could feel the frustration radiating off of her. "I am as confused as you are. She wasn't meant to be this way.""Then what do we do now? This changes everything," I asked, rubbing my face with my palm. Everything seemed to be falling apart. Everything!"For now, there is nothing we can do about it. We can't kill her now. Not when we do not even as much as understand where and how she is trapped. We just have to pray she either dies or comes back to life for us to kill her again!" She said in a hurry through clenched jaws.There was silence. I was seething.
ALPHA PARTHE.My sense of reasoning screeched to a stop as I wasn't thinking anymore. All I wanted was to kill someone. And unfortunately, Zendaya might be that unlucky person."Where is she? Where is your traitorous daughter!" I sneered at Nevada as soon as I saw her among the concerned crowd gathered outside my chamber.Her eyes held total confusion as she looked at me. "She... Alpha? What has she done to be called a traitor?" Nevada asked with a trembling voice.I could already smell her fear. I knew just how much she loved her daughter, and the look on my face told her that she might be losing her precious daughter at any moment.She fell to her knees with her hands clasped in front of her, "Please, Alpha Parthe, what has Zendaya done? She can never be a traitor. She can't betray you. She practically grew up under you... You know her... There must be a misunderstanding somewhere," She tried to defend something she didn't even know.All she was saying sounded very distant as my rea
ALPHA PARTHE.I held onto her body, my senses going numb as I totally lost touch with reality. My eyes were wide open, but I was staring at nothing in particular.What had happened? This looked natural. She wasn't strangled or stabbed. She wasn't hit... Nothing of that sort. It just felt like she was fast asleep and then passed from there.I wish... I wished a lot of things at that point.I wish this was done by someone... I needed someone to suffer for this. I wanted to kill someone so slowly that they'd wish the death would come faster, but it wouldn't.I wish..."Alpha!" My Beta thundered beside me in a powerful tone that pulled me out of whatever hole I was sliding into.I hadn't even realized my chamber was almost crowded with concerned people - my Beta, Gamma, Shikta, Vixen, Lorita... I couldn't take note of them all. They didn't matter."Allow the healers to take a look at her," Tervan said, but I wasn't willing to. I didn't want to leave her side even for a second. I held onto